First, let me say this is an amazingly rich thread. Its been a huge help as I've taken the plunge to trying 3 speeds.

Second, I have a question about a bike I just bought, to see if any of you have come across the model or anything close? It's a 1955 women's 4 speed manufactured by F. Hopper and Co. (not branded Elswick Hopper like most others I've seen) and the model is called The President. I know from research and contact with someone in the UK that it's no doubt an export model, perhaps even custom color for the time, but either way there's no direct equivalent in the UK catalogues from that time.

My question is, quite simply, has anyone ever stumbled across one of these or anything like this? It was stripped of brakes and the 4 speed shifter, and if there's another out there, I'd love any info you might have about it. Two quick pics for now: the headbadge and the "President" model name that emerged on the seat tube as I've been removing the spray paint that had covered the bike. I can post shots of the full bike tomorrow with light.

So last year I took on a lot of personal 3 speed projects and one in particular I just fell in love with. It was a 1954 Hercules Tourist with a 3 speed Hercumatic hub. It was in pretty rough shape and I got it from the original owner, this 71 year old man that ordered it from a catalog from England when he was 12. He had had it hanging from his garage since the 70's. He sold it to me for 20 bucks and I told him I would bring it back to life and enjoy it. I let it sit since the start of this crazy Chicago winter and now that it's warming up I decided to start taking it apart to clean in. The bearings were actually pretty clean and it was just mostly grease and grime on the outside of the bike. I'm working on the wheels now and to my surprise they are not chrome they are actually aluminum. I like that it doesn't look perfect, it gives it that used character but when i wiped down some of the frame the paint actually still shines a really nice candy red.

There's a second bike I got from him also. It was his wife's 70's AMF road master 3 speed, it's not really my style but he wanted to get rid of them both to good homes. That one was actually in great shape so I put some air in the very good tires, adjusted the shift cable and gave it to one of my co-workers for her to do her errands on.

In became the owner of a 1974 Raleigh Sport this afternoon. I was admiring a guys vintage BMW and he asked if I liked classic cars. I said no, pedal bikes and he pulled this out of his storage container. $125 later and I have a new project. The gear cable is broken right where the little chain goes into the hub. I don't know anything about English 3 speeds but this one is in great shape. It has Raleigh Record tires on it and a plastic Brooks saddle. Didn't know there was such a thing. I'm not sure if the little seat bag is Raleigh. It's plasticky too. I wonder if that little chain can be fixed on the gear cable?

In became the owner of a 1974 Raleigh Sport this afternoon. I was admiring a guys vintage BMW and he asked if I liked classic cars. I said no, pedal bikes and he pulled this out of his storage container. $125 later and I have a new project. The gear cable is broken right where the little chain goes into the hub. I don't know anything about English 3 speeds but this one is in great shape. It has Raleigh Record tires on it and a plastic Brooks saddle. Didn't know there was such a thing. I'm not sure if the little seat bag is Raleigh. It's plasticky too. I wonder if that little chain can be fixed on the gear cable?

That is a nice find, and a bike for a taller rider. The bag and saddle seem to be original. Like markk900 said, Sheldon Brown (RIP) is the source, and Harris Cyclery has the parts too.

I've been in church a lot lately. Sturmey Archer hubs here I come. I'm 6'1" and it's just rideable for me. Some more top tube room would be nice. My daughter is eyeing it up so I'll take the saddle and bag off store them. A collector might be interested in them. A B-67 will look good on it.

I've been in church a lot lately. Sturmey Archer hubs here I come. I'm 6'1" and it's just rideable for me. Some more top tube room would be nice. My daughter is eyeing it up so I'll take the saddle and bag off store them. A collector might be interested in them. A B-67 will look good on it.

I am 6'-2" and have no problem riding most Raleigh Sports 21" or 23" if the seat post is long enough. The short cockpit doesn't bother me a bit. If you really want a magic carpet ride, look for a DL-1 Tourist. BTW they come in a 24" frame

Aaron

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The bag is cool I have a similar one from the 60's but made in Japan I use. In my opinion that saddle is painful to ride I had one on my Raleigh single speed LTD that I immediately took off luckily I have an old B-66 (from my DL-1 ) and B72 (from my Sports) I can quickly put on there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bledfor Days

I've been in church a lot lately. Sturmey Archer hubs here I come. I'm 6'1" and it's just rideable for me. Some more top tube room would be nice. My daughter is eyeing it up so I'll take the saddle and bag off store them. A collector might be interested in them. A B-67 will look good on it.

I'm 5'9 and need to ride a 23 at least the 21 is too small for me cause I feel like a giant on one. I have a 21 Raleigh Sprite that I think looks amazing It just feels slightly small to me. maybe I just need a longer seat post.

Bledfor Days btw that is a B-72 on mine that would look good on yours as well
QUOTE=wahoonc;16578778]I am 6'-2" and have no problem riding most Raleigh Sports 21" or 23" if the seat post is long enough. The short cockpit doesn't bother me a bit. If you really want a magic carpet ride, look for a DL-1 Tourist. BTW they come in a 24" frame

Aaron [/QUOTE]

Sorry for the 5 speed post in this 3 speed thread, but technically that is a Raleigh "Sports" frame on that bike...

I don't really know what fixed the hub other than disassembly, adding grease, adjustment, and getting the brake shoes bedded-in (there was excess resistance and noise and it got hot while riding). The paint is in poor condition but the rust spots have been treated with vinegar and waxed and oiled. Crankset is from a Raleigh Sports; mudguards and chainguard are from a Triumph; front hub, chain, and pedals are Japanese; and the rims are French (Rigida).

From some pictures I have seen, my shift cable routing (along the downtube and chainstay) may be incorrect. I just routed it the same way I had seen on other 3-speeds previously. Is there a compelling reason to route it along the top and down the seatstay instead?